People have their theories, but I for one like to believe some old farming wives tales about the winter. I had a friend tell me the other day that it is a great sign there are so many bees, big snow year. I didn't really get this one though. There are a lot of old winter wives tales that I believe whole-heartedly though, and maybe you should too. Nature has its own way of preparing for a big winter. If the migratory birds are still hanging around, you may want to start worrying. If your dog has a thicker coat or the squirrels are scurrying around

Well, we’ve been skiing already but it’s Indian Summer now and of course everyone is wondering what kind of winter in will be in Telluride. When will we ski next? People have their theories, but I for one like to believe some old farming wives tales about the winter. I had a friend tell me the other day that it is a great sign there are so many bees, big snow year. I didn’t really get this one though. There are a lot of old winter wives tales that I believe whole-heartedly though, and maybe you should too. Nature has its own way of preparing for a big winter. If the migratory birds are still hanging around, you may want to start worrying. If your dog has a thicker coat or the squirrels are scurrying around already, start getting exciting. Here are a few wives tales I dug up, and I have italicized and * the ones I have already spotted locally…

I came up with a personal theory as well after seeing these trees loaded with pinecones up top…

A tree will produce more pinecones before a severe winter to ensure some of the seeds will make it through. Squirrels were dropping them from above, hoarding in September for the winter months, which enforces one of the other myths as well.

So what do unofficial viewers think? Load of BS or signs of a great winter to come? Are we just being foolhearty because we’ve had a taste of winter or is this the real deal? Check your local beaver’s lodge.